Chester Board of Selectmen s1

CHESTER BOARD OF SELECTMEN REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY, May 19, 2015 CHESTER TOWN HALL 203 MIDDLESEX AVENUE CHESTER, CT

CALL TO ORDER First Selectman Meehan called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. In attendance included First Selectman Meehan, Selectman Sypher and Selectman Englert.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES Larry Sypher made a motion to approve the minutes from the May 6, 2015 BOS meeting. Tom Englert seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

AUDIENCE OF CITIZENS - None

NEW BUSINESS Request for Town Road Use Permits Chester Sunday Market - Chester Sunday Market as requested Board approval for the closure of Main Street (West Main Street to the flag pole) on Sundays from June 14th through October 11, 2015 from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.

Chester Sunday Market is responsible for road barricades; additional police coverage (if necessary), insurance and vendors are required to meet all Town Ordinances.

Larry Sypher made a motion to authorize First Selectman Meehan to sign the permit as presented. Tom Englert seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Chester Rotary Club – 4 on the 4 th Annual Road Race The Rotary Club has requested Board approval for the 4 on the 4th Annual Road Race. The route has not changed (Main Street, East Liberty, Liberty, Pleasant, Straits, Prospect, Maple and Spring Streets). All appropriate State permits have been obtained. The Rotary Club is responsible for barricade placement and police services as necessary.

Larry Sypher made a motion to approve the Rotary Club’s request for road closures for their 4 on the 4 th Annual Road Race as presented. Tom Englert seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Request for Stop Sign at Cedar Lake Road and David Road (BOS as Local Traffic Authority) Over the years, several residents have requested that a stop sign be placed at Cedar Lake and David Road. The Resident State Trooper has endorsed the request. “Stop Ahead” signs would also be required.

Larry Sypher made a motion to approve the request for the installation of a “Stop” and two “Stop Ahead” signs at Cedar Lake Road and David Road. Tom Englert seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

1 OLD BUSINESS Town Hall Meeting Call – May 28, 2015 A copy of the proposed Town Meeting Call for the 5/28/15 Town Meeting was included in the BOS packet.

Larry Sypher made a motion to approve the Call as presented. Tom Englert seconded the motion. Discussion followed.

Ed Meehan reported that the Call was distributed to the Press (due to deadlines) prior to Town Attorney review. Attorney Bennet did have some editorial comments. The BOS discussed same including:

 The recommendation that the DPH health permits expire on a fiscal year basis.  Past Due Taxes – Attorney Bennet added the phrase “that these taxes have been delinquent for at least one year” to Item 7 of the Call.  Elementary School budget has been reduced by $81 to $12,907,274. This change will be reflected at the Town Meeting.

Any changes to the Call can be made through an amendment at the Town Meeting.

The motion passed unanimously.

Region 4 Proposed Regionalization Plan for K-12 and Interlocal Municipal Agreement Ed Meehan attended a recent forum on the K-12 Regionalization Plan. Additional amendments will be added to the Plan including voting criteria and the parameters for any grade reorganization (would require a Referendum in all three towns). Several areas of the Plan still need to be addressed including maintenance of buildings and the definition of Capital items.

The Interlocal Municipal Agreement and the financial impact of same on the towns were discussed at the forum. A Summit Meeting to discuss the Agreement is scheduled June 1, 2015. The BOS discussed ADM, school enrollments and cost sharing concerns.

Tom Englert reported that a re-written plan is available on the Region 4 website. Tom expressed concern with the transparency of some of the information on the Region 4 website.

VSAP Plan The VSAP Plan was referred to the Retirement Board for review and will also be reviewed by the Board of Fire Commissioners and the Town Attorney.

Main Street Reconstruction Project Status The Contract with Quality Associates will be signed on 5/20/15. The project will begin on June 1, 2015 and a pre-construction meeting is scheduled 5/27/15. Ed has discussed releasing the Water Company from their responsibility of completing the trench pavement patches. If released, the Water Company will compensate the Town.

Main Street Bridge Project

2 A Utility Meeting is scheduled next week. Upon receipt of approval, the contractor will begin lining up AT&T and CL&P Fiber Optics for the relocation of two utility poles.

The EDC and Merchants Association have been discussing a Traffic Management Plan to accommodate delivery trucks during the project.

Discussion of Possible Noise Ordinance – Review of November 2000 Draft Ordinance and Prior BOS Decisions Ed Meehan reported that Pattaconk held their May Weekend (with all appropriate permits obtained). However; several complaints regarding the event were received in the Selectman’s Office.

A copy of the 2000 Draft Noise Ordinance, copies of minutes and Town Attorney comments were distributed to the BOS. Ultimately, the Selectmen choose not to adopt the Noise Ordinance presented in 2000. At that time, it was determined that the State Troopers, in cooperation with the management of the Pattaconk, could address any noise issues.

The BOS discussed the mixed zoning and the unique land characteristics in the town center area that call for various noise requirements and the difficulty in enforcement because of this mixed zoning/requirements. Possible exemptions to any Noise Ordinance were discussed briefly by the BOS.

Board members will review the documents presented this evening and discuss at a future BOS meeting.

Eric James commented that the goal for any Noise Ordinance should not be over regulation and any music event is generally stopped at a reasonable hour. He expressed concern more with the noise of delivery trucks, car alarms and weedwackers.

A representative from the Pattaconk reported that they are happy to work with the neighbors regarding noise. The Selectmen suggested that perhaps a sound barrier could be investigated and/or having bands play inside only.

SELECTMEN’S REPORTS Ed Meehan reported:  New Gateway signs will be installed at Exit 6 – DOT permit has been received – funding is in the EDC budget  The results of the CCM prescription card program were discussed  Staff Retirements – Sheila Ahern, Tracy Ohaus – positions will be advertised

Larry Sypher reported on the costs for the EOC e-mail address.

ADJOURNMENT Larry Sypher made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:55 p.m. Tom Englert seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Respectfully Submitted,

Suzanne Helchowski, Clerk